BEUKEMA: No ice is 100 percent safe

The term ‘safe ice’ isn’t in the vocabulary of police agency search and rescue teams, bait shop operators, law enforcement personnel, or Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers.

While ice can be thick in some areas of a lake, it can also become thin rather quickly for a variety of reasons.

One Oakland County resident recently became a victim when venturing out onto thin ice. His day ice fishing ended tragically. In a separate incident, two other men went through the ice but fortunately were rescued.

Natural springs, and flowing water, like rivers or streams, or even vegetation can make for “iffy” ice not just to fish on, but for skating or playing ice hockey too.

No ice is completely safe. However, the colder and later in the year it gets ice, the does get better. But it still means you must exercise caution.

Whether you are familiar with a particular lake or not it’s a good idea to follow these suggestions:

-Check with a local bait or tackle shop about ice conditions. Often, they can give you a heads up on which part of the lake to avoid due to currents and other hazards.

-It goes without saying, take a friend along to fish with. Not only is it safer but it’s more fun. You have someone to talk with and share the day’s experience.

-Let someone know where you are going and about what time you will return.

-Power augers are nice. They make a hole through the ice quicker than a hand auger or spud. But a spud is versatile. It can cut a hole and is a great tool to use for testing ice as you move around.

-Pay attention to wind direction, especially on large bodies of water.

-Stay away from inlets, outlets and currents. Avoid docks, pilings, dead trees, cottontails, and other weeds growing through the ice.

-Wear a PFD and consider carrying a length of ropes and a couple of screw drivers to help get you out of a hole and back on the ice.

-If you see someone break through the ice, call 911, then approach the victim with caution. Lay down to distribute your weight. Take a rope, pole, tree branch, or ladder, whatever us available, giving the victim something to hang on to.

NotebookClam Outdoors wants anglers to know that their Ice Team has been a success and continues to be an extremely valuable resource for anglers through the knowledge of its pros.

Ice Team is offering free memberships for anglers to take advantage of the Ice Team website at no charge.

Benefits of registering include listening to weekly audio reports by pro staff, watch Team internet shows, read the Ice Team Digital Magazine, and receive discounts on Team gear.

To sign up go to www.iceteam.com and click on the red “Become a Member” link. Use coupon code 2013 and fill out the information.

Classes are limited to 20 persons with pre-registration required. The one hour lessons cost $14 and includes rental equipment for four hours, or $4 if you bring your own equipment.

For more information or to register, call (810) 227-8910.

Grab some cardboard, duct tape, glue and paint, put it all together building a sled, then head for Indian Springs Metropark for the first Cardboard Classic February 10.

Children and adults are challenged to create a two-person sled to race down the park’s sledding hill. Fun prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners for fastest and most creative sleds.

Registration and creative judging begins at 10:30 am; races start at noon. An awards ceremony will be held immediately following the final race, where prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners for the fastest and most creative sleds.

Sleds must seat two individuals and be composed of only the approved materials: cardboard, tape, paint and glue.

Any type of tape, such as masking tape or duct tape, is allowed. Racers must be able to see out of their sleds. Any sled not in compliance with these regulations will be disqualified from competition.

Please preregister for this event at 810-494-6026. All participants must complete a release form on the day of the event to compete; those under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian onsite to sign for them. Release forms are required for anyone riding a sled for the competition.

Applications and licenses may be purchased at any authorized license agent or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

The 2013 spring turkey season runs from April 22 through May 31, with hunts lasting from seven to 39 days, depending on the hunt unit.

Hunters may purchase a license for one hunt. A total of 114,290 licenses are available, including 49,290 general licenses and 65,000 private-land licenses.

Information about spring turkey hunting can be found at www.michigan.gov/turkey.

“Hunters looking for the greatest flexibility should consider Hunt 234, which runs May 6-31 and includes all open areas of the state except the public lands of southern Michigan,” said DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewart.

Beginning March 1 applicants can check whether they were drawn for a license at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Any leftover licenses will be sold until the quota is met in each hunt unit and hunt period.

Roger Beukema writes a weekly outdoors column for Journal Register Newspapers. Email him at dutchbeukema@comcast.net and read his blog at theoaklandpress.com.